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{{Short description|American rock band based in Missouri}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians --> {{Infobox musical artist | <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = The Rainmakers | name = The Rainmakers
| Img = 86promo.jpg | image =
| Img_capt = | caption =
| Img_size = <!-- Only for images smaller than 220 pixels --> | image_size = <!-- Only for images smaller than 220 pixels -->
| Landscape = yes | background = group_or_band
| Background = group_or_band | alias =
| Alias = | origin = ]
| Origin = ], ] | genre = ]
| years_active = 1983–1990, 1994–1998, 2011–present
| Genre = ]
| Years_active = 1986-1997 | label = ]
| associated_acts =
| Label = ]
| website =
| Associated_acts =
| current_members =]<br/>Rich Ruth<br/>Pat Tomek<br/>Jeff Porter
| URL =
| Current_members = ]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>]<br/>] | past_members = Steve Phillips<br/>Michael Bliss
| Past_members =
}} }}
'''The Rainmakers''' were a ], ]-based original ] ], fronted by ], which had a small string of hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the ] and ], especially ]. '''The Rainmakers''' are a ]-based original ] band, ] by ], which had a small string of ] in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the United States and Europe, especially ].


==Biography==
The Rainmakers were originally formed in ] as a three-piece bar band known as Steve, Bob and Rich, and, according to an Amazon.com editorial review, "quickly became popular throughout the midwest".<ref name="amazon"></ref> They released one album, Balls, under this name. The addition of drummer Pat Tomek to the lineup allowed Walkenhorst, the original percussionist, to switch to guitar and take over the roll of frontman. The band changed their name to The Rainmakers when they were signed to ]. According to ], while they continued to be popular in the US, the band achieved it's greatest commercial success overseas.<ref name=amg> of The Rainmakers</ref> They had a British top twenty hit with "Let My People Go-Go" from their self-titled 1986 debut album. The album itself receieved good reviews in the US, and the band made a fan of horror writer ], who later quoted the band's lyrics in his novels '']'' and '']''.<ref name="amg" /> The album reached #87 on the US ] charts, but their followup album, 1087's ''Tornado'', peaked at #116.<ref name="amgch"> for The Rainmakers</ref>
The Rainmakers were formed in 1983 as a three-piece bar band called Steve, Bob and Rich. They released one album, ''Balls'', under this name. The addition of drummer Pat Tomek allowed Walkenhorst to switch to guitar and assume the role of frontman. The band changed their name to The Rainmakers when they were signed to ] by ] man Peter Lubin.


The band's self-titled ] received good reviews in the U.S. entertainment media ('']'' magazine dubbed it "the most auspicious debut album of the year") and reached No. 87 on the U.S. '']'' ] chart. The band made a fan of horror author ], who quoted the band's lyrics in his novels '']'' and '']''.<ref name="amg"/> The album, however, achieved its greatest commercial success overseas. In the United Kingdom, the single "Let My People Go–Go" (a song based on the American ] anthem "]") broke into the ] in the ].<ref name=amg> of The Rainmakers</ref><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
The Rainmakers released two more studio albums, which were very successful in Europe, then broke up in 1990. However, ] interest in their music remained high, so they agreed to reform and release a new album, ''Flirting with the Universe'', in 1994. The album achieved the equivalent of ] status in Norway in only one month.<ref name="amg" /> One more album, ''Skin'', followed in 1996 before the band broke up for good.
| first= David
| last= Roberts
| year= 2006
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
| edition= 19th
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
| location= London
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
| page= 449}}</ref>


Their follow-up album, 1987's '']'', peaked at #116 on the U.S. chart.<ref name="amgch"> for The Rainmakers</ref> The Rainmakers released one more studio album, 1989's ''The Good News and The Bad News'', and one live album, 1990's ''Oslo-Wichita Live'', which were successful in Europe, but did not chart in the U.S.. The band broke up after the release of the live album, which was only issued in Europe.
==Members==
* ],
* ] (later a member of ]),
* ], (later a member of ])
* ],
* ] (replaced Rich Ruth in 1995).


]n interest in their music remained high, and they reformed and released a new album, ''Flirting with the Universe,'' in 1994. The album achieved the equivalent of ] status in ] in one month.<ref name="amg" /> Ruth left the band and was replaced by new bassist Michael Bliss, and one more album, ''Skin,'' followed in 1996. The band issued one further track in 1998, a collaboration with ] in a new version of "]", before they broke up again.
== Discography ==
*''Main Article: ''']'''''
The Rainmakers released six studio albums and one live album in total.


In 2011, the Rainmakers reformed, with bassist Rich Ruth returning to the group in place of Bliss, while longtime guitarist Steve Phillips was replaced by Jeff Porter. On March 5, the band was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, with a ceremony and concert at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas.<ref>Mermis, Elke (2011) .</ref> The following week, the band's album ''25 on'' was released on March 14. At the end of March, the band returned to Norway for a two-week tour. The band played two shows (May 14–15) at ] in Kansas City.<ref>{{cite web|last=Finn|first=Timothy|title=Rainmakers' most successful album inspires a tour, and a new CD|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/09/2708783/rainmakers-most-successful-album.html|publisher=The Kansas City Star|accessdate=March 12, 2011}}</ref>
==Audio sample==

{{Listen|filename=Rainmakers - Let My People Go Go excerpt.ogg|title=The Rainmakers - Let My People Go Go excerpt|description=An excerpt from ''Let My People Go Go''}}
In 2014, the Rainmakers released the album '']''. In June the same year, they performed at the ].<ref>Finn, Timothy (2014) .</ref>

In 2015 they released the album ''Cover Band''.

Steve Phillips died in 2020 after contracting ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kshb.com/news/coronavirus/steve-phillips-member-of-the-elders-dies-after-contracting-virus|title=Steve Phillips, member of the Elders, dies after contracting virus|date=September 30, 2020}}</ref>

==Band members==
* ]: guitar, vocals (1983–1990, 1994–1998, 2011–present)
* Jeff Porter: guitar, vocals (2011–present)
* Rich Ruth: bass, vocals (1983–1990, 1994–1995, 2011–present)
* Pat Tomek: drums (1986–1990, 1994–1998, 2011–present)

'''Former members'''
* Steve Phillips: guitar, vocals (1983–1990, 1994–1998)
* Michael Bliss: bass, vocals (1995–1998)

===Timeline===
<div>
{{#tag:timeline
|ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:10
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1983 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = unit:year increment:2 start:1983
ScaleMinor = unit:year increment:1 start:1983

Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:Lines value:black legend:Releases
id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors =bars:bars

BarData =
bar:Bob text:Bob Walkenhorst
bar:steve text:Steve Phillips
bar:porter text:Jeff Porter
bar:rich text:Rich Ruth
bar:bliss text:Michael Bliss
bar:tomek text:Pat Tomek

PlotData=
width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Bob from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1985 color:drums
bar:Bob from:01/01/1985 till:01/01/1990 color:guitar
bar:Bob from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1990 color:vocals width:3
bar:Bob from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1998 color:guitar
bar:Bob from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1998 color:vocals width:3
bar:Bob from:01/01/2011 till:end color:guitar
bar:Bob from:01/01/2011 till:end color:vocals width:3
bar:steve from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1990 color:guitar
bar:steve from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1990 color:vocals width:3
bar:steve from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1998 color:guitar
bar:steve from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1998 color:vocals width:3
bar:porter from:01/01/2011 till:end color:guitar
bar:porter from:01/01/2011 till:end color:vocals width:3
bar:rich from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1990 color:bass
bar:rich from:01/01/1983 till:01/01/1990 color:vocals width:3
bar:rich from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1995 color:bass
bar:rich from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1995 color:vocals width:3
bar:rich from:01/01/2011 till:end color:bass
bar:rich from:01/01/2011 till:end color:vocals width:3
bar:bliss from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1998 color:bass
bar:bliss from:01/01/1995 till:01/01/1998 color:vocals width:3
bar:tomek from:01/01/1985 till:01/01/1990 color:drums
bar:tomek from:01/01/1985 till:01/01/1990 color:vocals width:3
bar:tomek from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1998 color:drums
bar:tomek from:01/01/1994 till:01/01/1998 color:vocals width:3
bar:tomek from:01/01/2011 till:end color:drums
bar:tomek from:01/01/2011 till:end color:vocals width:3

LineData =

at:01/01/1986 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1987 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1989 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1994 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/1996 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2011 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2014 color:black layer:back
at:01/01/2015 color:black layer:back

}}
</div>

==Discography==
{{main|The Rainmakers discography}}
The Rainmakers have released eight studio albums, two live albums and a compilation album.


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}}
<references />


== External links == == External links ==
* *
* at the ]'s live music archive
*
*
* at the ]'s live music archive
*
*
*
* *
* *
*
* *


{{Authority control}}
]

]
] {{DEFAULTSORT:Rainmakers, The}}
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 00:15, 4 October 2024

American rock band based in Missouri

The Rainmakers
OriginKansas City, Missouri
GenresRock
Years active1983–1990, 1994–1998, 2011–present
LabelsPolygram
MembersBob Walkenhorst
Rich Ruth
Pat Tomek
Jeff Porter
Past membersSteve Phillips
Michael Bliss
Websitewww.rainmakers.com

The Rainmakers are a Kansas City, Missouri-based original rock band, fronted by Bob Walkenhorst, which had a small string of hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the United States and Europe, especially Norway.

Biography

The Rainmakers were formed in 1983 as a three-piece bar band called Steve, Bob and Rich. They released one album, Balls, under this name. The addition of drummer Pat Tomek allowed Walkenhorst to switch to guitar and assume the role of frontman. The band changed their name to The Rainmakers when they were signed to PolyGram by A&R man Peter Lubin.

The band's self-titled 1986 debut album received good reviews in the U.S. entertainment media (Newsweek magazine dubbed it "the most auspicious debut album of the year") and reached No. 87 on the U.S. Billboard album chart. The band made a fan of horror author Stephen King, who quoted the band's lyrics in his novels The Tommyknockers and Gerald's Game. The album, however, achieved its greatest commercial success overseas. In the United Kingdom, the single "Let My People Go–Go" (a song based on the American Negro spiritual anthem "Go Down Moses") broke into the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart.

Their follow-up album, 1987's Tornado, peaked at #116 on the U.S. chart. The Rainmakers released one more studio album, 1989's The Good News and The Bad News, and one live album, 1990's Oslo-Wichita Live, which were successful in Europe, but did not chart in the U.S.. The band broke up after the release of the live album, which was only issued in Europe.

Scandinavian interest in their music remained high, and they reformed and released a new album, Flirting with the Universe, in 1994. The album achieved the equivalent of gold record status in Norway in one month. Ruth left the band and was replaced by new bassist Michael Bliss, and one more album, Skin, followed in 1996. The band issued one further track in 1998, a collaboration with Brewer & Shipley in a new version of "One Toke Over the Line", before they broke up again.

In 2011, the Rainmakers reformed, with bassist Rich Ruth returning to the group in place of Bliss, while longtime guitarist Steve Phillips was replaced by Jeff Porter. On March 5, the band was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame, with a ceremony and concert at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas. The following week, the band's album 25 on was released on March 14. At the end of March, the band returned to Norway for a two-week tour. The band played two shows (May 14–15) at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City.

In 2014, the Rainmakers released the album Monster Movie. In June the same year, they performed at the Sweden Rock Festival.

In 2015 they released the album Cover Band.

Steve Phillips died in 2020 after contracting COVID-19.

Band members

  • Bob Walkenhorst: guitar, vocals (1983–1990, 1994–1998, 2011–present)
  • Jeff Porter: guitar, vocals (2011–present)
  • Rich Ruth: bass, vocals (1983–1990, 1994–1995, 2011–present)
  • Pat Tomek: drums (1986–1990, 1994–1998, 2011–present)

Former members

  • Steve Phillips: guitar, vocals (1983–1990, 1994–1998)
  • Michael Bliss: bass, vocals (1995–1998)

Timeline

Discography

Main article: The Rainmakers discography

The Rainmakers have released eight studio albums, two live albums and a compilation album.

References

  1. ^ Allmusic Guide biography of The Rainmakers
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 449. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  3. Allmusic Guide chart listings for The Rainmakers
  4. Mermis, Elke (2011) "The Kansas Music Hall of Fame inducts the Rainmakers, Bobby Watson and more in its 7th annual ceremony this weekend".
  5. Finn, Timothy. "Rainmakers' most successful album inspires a tour, and a new CD". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  6. Finn, Timothy (2014) "The Rainmakers revisit rock ’n’ roll roots, find a more collaborative spirit".
  7. "Steve Phillips, member of the Elders, dies after contracting virus". September 30, 2020.

External links

Categories: